Lionel Messi with a $950 Million Legacy, Joins Argentina’s Wealthiest

Argentine football icon Lionel Messi has secured a spot among the Top 50 wealthiest Argentinians, with an estimated fortune of $950 million. This makes him the only athlete on the list, reflecting a remarkable career that has seen him amass post-tax earnings of nearly $950 million out of a total income of $1.5 billion as of June 2024.

Messi, who is currently the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States, earns an annual salary of $20 million. In addition, he benefits from a lucrative agreement with Apple TV, reportedly adding $50 million annually to his income.

The World Cup champion and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner ranks 30th on the list. His wealth is further bolstered by endorsement deals with global brands such as Adidas, YPF, Gatorade, Lay’s, Pepsi, Mastercard, and Cirque du Soleil. Off the field, his father, Jorge Messi, oversees the family’s business ventures, which include investments in hospitality, real estate, and fashion.

At the top of Argentina’s wealth rankings for 2024 is Marcos Galperin, founder of Mercado Libre, Latin America’s leading technology company. Galperin holds a net worth of $8.5 billion.

The combined wealth of Argentina’s 50 richest individuals totals nearly $78 billion, representing 12.1% of the country’s GDP in 2023.

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